She came back!! + List of things to start doing to serve a mission (Pre/post getting your calling)

My best friend came back from her mission!! She was serving in the Mexico, Ciudad Obregon Mission! Awesome huh? I've learned a TON from her! So I made a list of things that you kinda have to get ready before leaving on your mission!

but first.. Let me show you some pictures ;)

Aren't we like the sweetest friends ever?! Yup we are! Now let's go down to bussiness, This is the list that worked for me, And these are the things that i started doing even before getting my calling. I made a similar list in a past entry, but i think this one's a little bit more specific ;)

I got my call back in June, so I'll start with the things to do BEFORE you get your calling or while you wait for it. And  yes when you get it is Legen... wait for it (literally)... dary!

• DAILY Praying/Studying scriptures; there's no really a pattern for this but, you want to start getting to understand the things you will be preaching right?

• Read Preach my gospel, It's not necessary to memorize but it will give you a general idea of what missionaries do :)
• Enter to Missionary Prep class and the class to enter the temple. If you are having this classes earlier you will have the time to study things better and you'll love it
• Start looking for music that is mission appropiate, If you start listening to it, the transition from your regular music to church music won't be that harsh.
• Set a blog! What a better way to get excited about your call that sharing the excitment?
• Be patient!! Hang out with your friends!!!
• Go with the sister missionaries but don't make it as a priority, I mean, You will get your chance to be a missionary, it's ok to go with them but don't let it absorb you, Try to stay more with family and friends. 
• And most importantly DO NOT think about WHERE are you serving but HOW! Thats the real question, How am I gonna love these people I don't know? How am I gonna serve them? How am I gonna help them draw closer to God? How can I be more prepared to preach the gospel?

That's a general guideline of the things I did before getting my call, And here I have a list of things I'm still getting ready, things I started AFTER getting my call. 

• DANCE, SCREAM, BE EXCITED! Now you know where you're going and the best you can do is enjoy it! Think about it... A mission is a once in a lifetime opportunity and YOU will make a difference by the obedience you show as you go on your mission. Sometimes we can feel dissappointed on our call, I've heard sisters be mad, sad even angry for going stateside, and that's really sad. Your assigment is the place the Lord wants you to be. Where you will find that people waiting for you! People that you knew even before coming to Earth so... No matter where... BE EXCITED! 

• Next thing you will want to do is start really preparing, I had the blessing to get my calling in June and reporting to November and that has given me the time to get prepared.

• Set everything ready to get your endowments. This expierence will seriously bless you in ways you can't imagine. My advice if you're going to the temple for the first time is: Go with an open mind! Remember is an ancient ceremony in modern times and it is part of salvation on Earth. Let the spirit fullfill you and don't try to memorize everything. Enjoy and pray for revelation, pray to have a good experience. Your life will change completely after you get in. Trust me on this one and... Start throwing away those clothes that you won't be able to wear anymore... It will only depress you if you see them and can't wear them... Take my word for it. 

• Get yout immunizations!! Do it now! Some of the MTCs around the world can give them to you, but others don't offer that service and you will have to pay for it. Some immunizations require a second dosis, so you better start with that :)

• Now that you have a place, do some research on the weather so you can start getting clothes and the things you will need according to that place. 
• Get glasses/contacts done ahead
• If you're studying or working you want to talk to make sure everything's good before you go, Leave papers to your parents and explain them what to do in case they need to make some paperwork while you're out.
• If you're going foreign, call to the visa department in your area to get instructions to start getting your visa. 
• Get a bank account set. Rather you're going foreign or stateside. Give access to it to your parents, that would come in handy in an emergency.
• Make a "Mission book" I made one in Word and I added conference talks, Study guides for the plan of salvation, recipes, workouts, and some other things I found on pinterest that i thought were useful. Here's a link of it : https://www.dropbox.com/s/316xx0b825dyu94/mission%20book%20diana.docx?dl=0

• Make an address book, add dates and birthdays so you remember when to email or remind your parents to say hi to your friends on those dates 
• Make a copy of your Patriarchal Blessing and your calling, you will want to take them with you
• Make a list of all your passwords, 
• Delete or save all the things you don't wanna loose from your computer and phone.
• Make sure your driver's license is on order
• Get a good haircut before leaving, i wouldnt recommend try a new hairstyle, last thing you want is have no idea how to style your hair, you will want simple solutions in the mornings. 
• If you're getting new scriptures, start marking them, Only thing i did was mark the scriptures in Preach my gospel, according to the color of the chapter, and then i made a little directory of the scriptures i had marked for personal use, that way i can find those scriptures and start marking them as i want to once im in the field. 
• Make a small photo album
• One week before (Or two), set apart ALL of the items you're taking, that way you will see if you need to do laundry and will help you to realize what are the things you're missing, and miscelaneous you want to take.
• Make a list of every item you're taking with you, If you're taking more than 2 suitcases, add the belonging list to the suitcase, it will save time if, like me, you never remember where you put things. Also It will make things easier as you will be packing for transfers :)
• Charge your camera and mp3/Ipod you're taking 
• Call to the airlane once you get your itinerary to make sure the flight has been reserved, also ask about the luggage recommended, sometimes you can take 2 suitcases, sometimes only one, call to see if you need to have some money prepared to pay for that
• SAVE MONEY!
• If you're going to a biking/car mission like me, start riding that bike!! It will make things easier!
• SLEEEEEEP! Take naps!
• Watch TV, Listen to music, Read good books. 

Well ... Basically these are the things I have been doing, I hope they're helpful, sorry for any english mistake and I'll be posting my list of items I'm packing plus some packing tips!

Until next time

Hermana Perez

It's been a while!

So! It's been a while since last time I posted... Of course! I got my calling already !! (Actually I leave for the MTC in 20 days.. So yeah!)

Annnnd... CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES MISSION!!!

It is crazy to think back of the time when I was waiting for my call and now everything seems pretty real!

This is just a little update of what I have been up to, later this week I'll be posting my packing list, and some guidelines for studying the gospel, workouts and a missionary cookbook I found on pinterest... They're amazing!!!

I'll leave you all with some pictures of what I've been up to lately. Preparing for a mission can seem hard while you wait to be on the field but trust me... It's really worth it!!

So! The Mexico City temple is closed for manteinance and I got the chance to travel to the Veracruz, Mexico temple to get my endowments... BEST DAY EVER!

It was my farewell party already!!! So MUCH FUN!!!!

AND! my mission pictures! Taken in the Mexico City Temple. 

Can't wait to enter to the MTC!

PEACE OUT! 

Hermana Pérez

Spiritual Preparation

So! I checked today my online recommendation and guess what?!!!
It's been submitted!!! Im crazy excited. For realsies!!!

Ever since I decided to serve a mission I have started to prepare myself in many ways. Here's a list of things I've been doing that might be useful if you think about serving a mission or just want to gain more spiritual experiences:

*Read the book of Mormon (EVERYDAY) : No excuses!!! You will go to teach the Restoration and a key point is the Book of Mormon! You will make your testimony grow and for real, you will get revelation ffor yourself!

*Start studying on the Bible: Something really important to take into account is that most of the people you will teach have knowledge about the bible! More than that... reading the bible will confirm you that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is reaally true. Thanks to the bible i got the desire to serve, so it will totally help

*Don't forget to read some of Doctrine and Covenants: This one is actually pretty cool. You will find inspiration to serve  faithful mission

*Take a look at Preach my Gospel!! (A good one!!!) Also if you have the app of the Gospel Library you can download udeful material, like some video series called "The District" I've learned a lot from this.

*Memorize your favorite scriptures. I have a little glossary at the begining of my sriptures, everytime i read an scripture that might be useful in a future i write it down. You can also memorize the articles of faith. I started memorizing the Living Christ, along with the new testament study it has really streghten my testimony of Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice.

*Never lose an opportunity to share what you believe in: Don't try to push people to get baptized, just be an example and explain how happy you are for the gospel. It does make a difference.

*Split with the missionaries. Go visit with them, they will be grateful for your help, ask them if you can help in any way. You will also learn how to talk to people and you will start being confident about sharing your testimony

*Share your testimony every month at church. Take the chance!! The more you share what you know the more you will realize how your testimony is growing!!

*Try to see ALL people as children of God. You have no idea how many times I've heard: "You will love all of the people when you are on the field even if you don't know them" Why not start now? Why not seeing everyone with the potential they have? Why not love even the ones that we don't really get along with? This has also helped me a lot, makes me happier cause I don't get mad at silly things like traffic. We all are children of God.

*PRAY on your knees. I didn't really have this habit. I just started and it has made a huge diference! Try it! You will feel it!

These are the ways I started to prepare since last month. Do you have more ideas? Everyone is different but I hope this lists help!

Love
Hermana Pérez

Why should I leave my family for eighteen months?

My oldest sister went on a mission when I was around 16 years old, as she came back I never really had the feeling to serve on a mission, it just wasn't on my plans. Im 22 years old, and as this year 2014 started I was not ready for a mission!!! I was an active member of the church but not really into leaving my life behind. 

So!! One of my goals was to read the Bible this year, from cover to cover every single day. And as I was reading Exodus I came one scripture: Exodus 12:4. When I read that scripture... "Now, therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say". Never ever in my life I had felt like an scripture was made for me. This was a feeling I will never be able to describe: The Lord was showing me what I had to do. Still, I didn't wanna go on a mission so I kept with my daily study but tried to ignore the desire to serve on a mission.

Are those feeling you can ignore? I think not!!! Next week was stake conference and the mission president was there. I would lie if i tell you that I remember the things he said cause I don't. I just remember considering going on a mission as I was listening to him... Still I wasn't sure. 
 My ward has always been a ward with missionary guys. And that very same week sister missionaries were sent to my ward.!!! And they are the coolest ever! So I just kept having that feeling but trying to ignore it (Every day was harder haha)

(These are the coolest missionaries ever: Sister Burrola, Sister Ochoa, Elder Nielson; who gave me a Preach my Gospel Book!!!, Elder Gallardo, Elder Iñíguez and Elder Welch)

So anyways!! That Sunday the missionaries asked my to lead the hymns at a baptism, and as I was looking at the brother in white clothes, ready to be baptised, i could no more and after that just told my parents I wanted to serve a full time mission. Crazy huh? What I love about this dicision is that I felt it, like i truly recieved the inspiration and revelation of serving a mission. And honestly... I can't wait!!!

That happened last month and last week I submmited my paperwork! I don't want to chicken out!! hahaa

And actually getting prepared for my mission has taught me lots of things. And has increased my testimony in Jesus Christ, I know that he is my Reedimer, I know that God lives, I know that Joseph Smith restored this church and he saw God and Christ. I've got no doubts about the Book of Mormon and The Bible being the word of God and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet. I can't wait to be on the field and  share all of this to the people out there. 

If you have any doubt about this you can ask away!!!
or go to:
mormon.org 

 

I am...

I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love it. I am from Mexico and I grew up in the gospel. As I started growing up I found out that the church has helped me become a happy person. In the search of this happiness, I have decided to go on a full time mission. Even tho sometimes trials are difficult, I know the Lord has a plan for me and I know this is the Church of God. Im really excited to get my calling!!!

I sent my paperwork 2 weeks ago and already had my interview with the stake president. This blog is kind of like a stress relief! I want to share my journey and preparation to serve on a mission.

Thanks for reading and expect so many more entries.

DISCLAIMER: As I said before I am mexican, always have lived in Mexico and of course my native language is spanish, so you will find probably some grammar mistakes! Sorry about that! :D